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Our Stories Must Be Of Aspirations, Dreams, Hopes -Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to project the country’s image in good light and push narratives of aspirations, dreams and hopes.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement, said the vice president spoke recently in Abuja at the formal presentation and book launch.
The book is titled “The Memory of Seasons,” written by award-winning writer and journalist, Arukaino Umukoro.
The theme of the presentation was, “Conversations on Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity: Challenges, Opportunities.”
The book is a collection of poems on nationhood, faith, life and humanity.
The vice president, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, said that, “a big part of Nation building is talking up your nation.”
According to Osinbajo, every country talks up their own country and people of every country talk up their own country.
“When we get home, we can criticize ourselves, but we must talk up our country; what are the narratives that we push about Nigeria?
“The stories of nations written by others focus on their own agendas, the agendas of the authors; the negatives, of course, sell more and much faster, we must tell our own stories.
“We belong to one side; and that side is the Nigerian side; someone was talking about Arsenal a few moments ago, that Arsenal would win this premier league.
“Because that’s our side, we take the side; they may not be the best, they may not win all the time, but that’s our side; this country is our side.’’
According to him, Nigerians must talk up the country and give the very best impression of the country.
The vice president said that Nigeria was not about its politicians, religious leaders or its business leaders but for everybody.
“Our stories must be stories of our aspirations, our dreams and our hopes, planted on the successes of our journey and the future of great hope, because we have the incredible talents and material resources, and already on that journey, we are very far ahead.
“And I think the poem– Imagine Nigeria– which is in the book, captures the story we want to tell the world; and I’m going to read portions of it just to encourage us.”
Osinbajo congratulated the author for delivering such a wonderful set of poems.
“Sometimes, we have to reflect when you read Umukoro’s poetry; you have to think again and reflect.
“I am overwhelmed by the achievements of Umukoro; we have heard about all the awards he has won,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Rabiu Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer, RiftOil Petroleum Company Limited, commended the author for an important literary work that spoke to nationhood.
“I am proud of his achievements and how far he has come since then.
“ It is obvious that the vice president is a big inspiration to him. Umukoro talks a lot about Osinbajo’s exemplary character, selfless service and dedication to nation-building,” he said.
Highlights of the event included spoken word performances focused on nation-building from Umukoro’s book – including “Imagine Nigeria’’ and “Rebirth of a Nation.’’
They were performed by Tamara Dogubo and Abdullahi Haruna.
There was also a panel discussion on the theme of the event.
The panel, which was moderated by journalist, Irene Ubani, featured Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant to President on Digital and New Media, and Maupe Ogun, co-anchor, Channels Television prime-time breakfast show “Sunrise Daily.”
Other panelists were Novo Isioro, founder, Anisza Foundation, Myani Bukar, Lawyer and Development Economist.
The conversations were aimed at driving meaningful discourse that will promote national unity.
The founder of Project One Nigeria, Busayo Busari-Akinnadeju, gave goodwill remarks that urged patriotism and pride in Nigeria and its greatness.
Ade Ipaye, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, in the Office of the Vice President, Amb. Adeyemi Dipeolu, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, among other senior government officials were also at the event.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.